Getting from Guatemala City (LUA Airport) to your first destination

International Arrivals

If you’re arriving from out of the country, you’ll likely be flying into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. While this is your entry point, I don’t recommend spending time in the capital because of limited attractions, and it’s not the safest place to be.

Instead, I suggest booking a tourist shuttle or calling an Uber directly from the airport to Lake Atitlán. Shuttles can fill up quickly, so try to book in advance. If you decide on calling an Uber, you may get some people canceling your ride, but it’s much cheaper compared to private shuttles.

We debated whether to begin our journey in Lake Atitlan or Antigua, and I’m so happy we chose in Lake Atitlan for reasons you’ll read about. However, starting in Antigua is also a great option. Just be sure to pre-book your shuttle from Guatemala City to Antigua.

Contact to my personal driver: Chris was AMAZING and was so attentive to all our needs. He drives to pretty much every part of the country. Chris can be reached via WhatsApp at +502 3921 8677 (Bonus tip: let him know that Graciela and Andy say hello!)

Alternative Option

If you have a late night arrival like I did (I landed from New York at 7:00 PM), you can either spend the night in Guatemala City, or go straight to your destination. We spent the night at Good Hotel Guatemala City in Zone 4, just a 10-minute Uber ride from the airport, and was surprised at how nice the hotel was.

Yes - I felt safe taking an Uber from the airport to our hotel. Plus, Ubers are VERY cheap!